Mosin Deep

"The cold highlands of Mosin Deep is the origin point of humanity in the world of Orr. The men of Aardwulf tell a legend of a time where the Dwarves of Vahl' Thundra, before they were to rule those halls, were slaves to the Frost giants of the northern mountains of the isle. Through cunning, and trickery, these Dwarves stole the golden ale of their savage masters, and with this ambrosia, grew tall, and fearsome, becoming the men of the ancient world. Whether or not there is some grain of truth to this tale, it is noteable that Mosin Deep holds the oldest known burial sites of Humans in the world, and that the giants (whose oral traditions have remained largely unchanged since the time of the heaven-dragon) still refer to them as their cousins."

— Rennian Kaldwell, Historian

Viking Woman by John Wallin Liberto

The realm of Mosin deep is named for the Human warrior, Aylana Mosedeep who fought, and defeated the Jötunn of the north that terrorized the valleys, and highlands of what would become her namesake isle. She forced the Giants into submission through strength of arms, and drew with them a pact known as the King's Circlet, that they are bound by even to this very day. Aylana was not only a warrior of unparalleled skill, and strength during her era, but an explorer. She adventured across the isles, and to the western borders of Drin, and the Freelands. Having seen much of the world already, in her later years her final journey was an attempt to circumnavigate the world of Orr. Her vessel never returned, and it is unknown what fate she met in the vast, uncharted leagues of the Sea of Mithris.
Mosin Deep is a territory of land ruled by four Jarls called the Lords of the Highlands, who are appointed by the high king of Vahl' Thundra. The Lords of the Highland are sworn to defend the domain of Mosin Deep, and to ensure that valor, and cunning within the isles is rewarded. Each of the Lords of the Highlands is bestowed a weapon known as the Stormruler as their badge of office. These four swords are said to have been carved from the teeth of a White Dragon, and whose soul is bound into the steel. These are the legendary weapons that Aylana, and her companions used to force the Giants of Aardwulf into submission.

Greenlake

Named for the many, shining lakes whose streams filter southward into the sea, Greenlake is often the first of the four holds which travelers to Mosin Deep become acquainted with. Resting at the mouth of the ocean, Greenlake is a prosperous port town whose farmlands fill the heart of the meadowed highlands at the base of the Jötunn mountains. It has been ruled fairly, and wisely by its Jarls for many generations, and served as the opening chapter of many a hero's saga.

Viking Town by Benjamin Gallego

Fjodin-Bas (Stonerise)

On the northern flanks of the Jötunn mountains, among the frigid, snowswept vales, and meteor-crater lakebeds of gleaming, transluscent blue waters lies the hold of Fjodin-Bas (called Stonerise by outsiders). This harsh corner of Mosin Deep is where the slayers of the Thunder Realm come to train, and sharpen their axes against the necks of wyverns, giants, and trolls. It is also the mustering point of the isles raids, which they complete twice a year against the shores of Drin, the Freelands, and the continent to to the west which the nations, and people of Oerth have no name for.

Viking Landscape by Luca Morsellino

Weir

The territory of Mosin Deep found within the Jötunn mountains is known as Weir. This hold is storied, and ancient. It is filled with tombs, monastaries, and druidic sights which only the most renowned explorers of the world have ever seen. It is a incredibly dangerous place to travel for here lie the lairs of dragons, the homes of giants, the nests of Behir, and other, great monstrosities. Beneath the earth, where one might flee to to escape their wrath are intricate tunnels whose depths plunge miles, and miles below the surface along winding corridors soaked in night-black unknown except to the deep-gnomes, the dwuegar, and the mysterious Drow.

Dragonstooth temple by Patrik Pulkkinen

King's Crossing

The last hold of Mosin Deep is King's Crossing. A masive human settlement on the northwestern plains of the isle surrounded by deep timber forests and the rolling weald of the highland foothills. King's Crossing surrounds Vahl' Thundra, the ancestral seat, and throne of Aardwulf's high king, and the home of the dwarves within these isles. King's Crossing manages much of the work, entertainment, and food required to support not just Mosin Deep but the other isles of Aardwulf, and possesses a large mercantile fleet which trades in foreign lands beyond the tempest gate. King's Crossing has, historically, been where advisors, emmisaries, and yes, kings and other nobility from the continent have arrived to discuss matters of war, and politics with the jarls, and high king of Aardwulf.

Fall of Gods: The Nomad - Norfolk by Malte Madsen

Dark Valkyrie 3 by Sang Han

"Upon the isles of Aardwulf, celestial beings known as the Valkyrie watch from thrones of storm on high. They are depicted by mortals as giant, armor-clad beings with golden hair and eagle's wings. They descend from their stations in the firmament to deliver tokens of glory to those mortals who brave the terrors of this realm, and to whom show no fear in the face of death. They are awestriking to behold, and it is said that a bow strung with a lock of their hair can fell a dragon with a single arrow. They are the only known angels that dwell in the prime material world.

Alternative Name(s)

Greenlake

Location under

The Thunder Realm